But Stabenow and Roberts face long odds in getting the House to follow the Senate’s lead.

While farm groups have lauded the farm legislation, conservative-leaning groups such as Americans for Tax Reform and FreedomWorks have lambasted it for being filled with “special-interest entitlements.”

The House Agriculture Committee earlier this month passed its own farm bill, 35-11.

At press time, it was unclear if House GOP leaders have the votes to clear such a bill.

Regardless, it is clear that Stabenow will not be giving up. She has relentlessly pushed for a bipartisan compromise in a highly partisan atmosphere. All the while, she has had to worry about her reelection bid in November. (The Hill has rated her race as “lean-Democratic.”)

Last week, Stabenow suggested support for a one-year House bill — as long as it leads to conference negotiations between the chambers.

It remains to be seen when and if Stabenow will be successful in her effort to send a long-term farm bill to President Obama’s desk. But she has proven to be an adept legislator in her first Congress as head of the Agriculture Committee.